Uttarakhand chopper crash: Operation underway to recover bodies from site

DEHRADUN: Rescue operations to recover the bodies of six people killed in a helicopter crash near Joshimath in Uttarakhand resumed at 5am on Saturday, officials said. However, the difficult terrain and remote location are likely to make the operation challenging.The recovery work was stopped on Friday due to darkness and the presence of wild bears and other animals in the area.The privately operated helicopter, belonging to Trans Bharat Aviation, was carrying five pilgrims from Karnataka and a pilot when it crashed into a hillside in Joshimath. It was returning to Dehradun after ferrying pilgrims from the Badrinath shrine. All six people on board died in the crash.The bodies were located near the wreckage in Chai village. The district administration also sent a forest department team to the site on Saturday to assist with the recovery.A team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is investigating the crash, was also expected to reach the site on Saturday.Speaking to the media, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said an investigation had been ordered to establish the exact cause of the accident. He also expressed condolences to the families of the victims.Prateek Jain, chief executive officer of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), said the difficult terrain was making it challenging to recover the bodies. The remains would be carried on foot to Chamoli district headquarters and then taken to Dehradun after post-mortem examinations.On being asked about the decision to allow the helicopter to fly despite an India Meteorological Department (IMD) alert, Jain said an advisory had also been issued by the authorities. The circumstances surrounding the flight would now be examined as part of the investigation.Officials had said on Friday that the bodies would be taken to Joshimath for post-mortem examinations after recovery, with the process scheduled for Saturday.Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said it had sent a team to Dehradun to carry out a preliminary assessment and regulatory review of the accident.Stay updated with the latest Dehradun news. Download the TOI App.